Why sealcoating driveway

Fast-dry sealers are usable for foot traffic about an hour after application, and for vehicle traffic in a single day. This is a good option when a business needs to quickly return the driveway or parking lot to service. But fast-dry options do not last as long, and it requires temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit for application. Seal coating has distinct benefits as preventive maintenance for asphalt paving:. The seal coating process can is normally first applied one year after the initial pavement has been placed to allow proper cure and wear of the surface.

After this, it's recommended that you have driveways and parking lots seal coated every two to three years for normal use, or every year if the pavement experiences heavy traffic. The average cost for the basic materials to seal coat a driveway or parking lot is about 40 cents per square foot for individuals doing the work themselves, although these costs can be higher depending on the equipment you need to purchase.

Costs can be higher depending on the amount of surface preparation and repair required. Bear in mind that walls and other obstacles that prevent you from applying the seal coating with a squeegee will significantly add costs to your project.

Organizations such as the USGA United States Geological Survey and Baylor University have determined that workers who regularly work with coal-tar are at increased health risk because of exposure to cancer-causing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs.

These risks are most substantial for workers who handle the coal-tar sealers regularly, but these substances are also likely to run off into groundwater supplies if they are applied in excess quantities, which is often the case when individual homeowners or businesses perform the application themselves. Although not yet declared a carcinogenic material by OSHA, the National Toxicology Program considers coal-tar a human carcinogen, and some cities have outlawed the use of coal-tar sealers for asphalt pavement.

Major retailers such as Home Depot and Lowes have stopped selling coal-tar sealers, but professional crews often still use it where allowed. If you are an environmentally conscious homeowner or business leader, you may want to ask about this before hiring a company to seal your pavement. Asphalt-emulsion types of seal coating pose fewer health risks, while acrylic sealers are even safer. Professional seal coating crews or individual homeowners or businesses follow this general procedure for seal coating:.

Once applied, you will need to protect the area for at least 36 hours, although most manufacturers specify 48 hours for the chemical to set and cure. Depending on the manufacturers' recommendation, the right time of the year to seal coat is when temperatures are expected to drop no lower than 55 degrees, which will ensure that the product cures properly. Watch out for leaves and debris that might degrade the emulsion coating once it has been applied and before it has set.

When applying the product yourself, be sure to follow these tips for better performance:. Actively scan device characteristics for identification.

My driveway has oil stains, will the sealer cover these? We recommend that you wash the area where the oil stains are located several days before we arrive. However, we will apply a primer before we seal your driveway in order to prevent the oil stain from bleeding through. Some oil stains may bleed through regardless of the precautions taken.

Do you clean my driveway before you seal coat it? We use a high-powered blower to remove any leaves and loose debris. We also edge back the grass with a weed whacker prior to the application. We have over 30 years of experience in residential and commercial seal coating. We stand behind our work and our sealer is specially mixed to our specifications. Hang on to crew — excellent job and very helpful and personable Hang on to crew — excellent job and very helpful and personable.

This pandemic is causing challenges for all businesses big and small. For less snowy climes and driveways in better condition, thin may deliver the best service.

If you need to get back on the driveway quickly—and have the ability to work speedily—quick-drying formulae may be an option. Walkable in as little as an hour, fast-drying formulae still take an entire hours to cure. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from.

By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. All About Sealcoating a Driveway. By Mark Clement.

Pinterest Email Pocket Flipboard. Step 1: Prep your driveway As a general rule, the night before sealcoating the driveway, position sealer cans lid-down.

This enables the solids in the blend to move through the can, making the sealer easier to mix just before application. Even the thin sealers are relatively thick. Also have handy a sheet of plywood to create a stable, flat work surface for mixing sealer and stationing tools. Think of the prep for sealing your driveway as you might a paint project and get or asphalt as clean and ready to accept the coating as possible. It can be saved for touch-ups and is a good insurance policy in case the driveway requires more product than anticipated.

For grass that has worked its way up through cracks of the driveway, cut it close to the surface with the trimmer. Blow away clippings. Yes, two grass items to be dealt with: The grass growing from the lawn ON to the driveway.

And grass actually growing up through the driveway Step 3: Remove grease and dirt Clean the driveway next. Step 4: Remove grease stains: For oil and gas stains that may repel or discolor the sealer, spot clean with a specialized cleanser and a stiff bristle brush.